ALLERGIES AND HOMEOPATHY

It is spring time. There is so much of optimism in the air that people get frenzy. It is such a euphoric time in the year that people get eccentric while enjoying and find outrageous ways of doing it – Holi in India, Fallas in Spain and the Great Toad Derby (Toad race) in California. Spring all over the world is a time for celebrations and fairs, but for some this time is not so fair. Staying indoors is the only option. At times even this option also proves unsuccessful. It is time for the dreaded allergies to come up and pollen is the main cause. Though high pollen counts can affect numerous types of allergies, from eye allergies (conjunctivitis) to skin reactions (dermatitis), the most common spring allergy is allergic rhinitis (symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, nasal congestion or headaches) and asthma.

For those who suffer from allergies, their immune system has mistakenly learned to remember the pollen released by various plants as potentially harmful, and responds with the familiar allergic symptoms. The specific types of pollen and the time of their release depends upon the local climate and varies around the country.

Weather can influence the timing and severity of the problem. A mild winter often leads to a more severe pollen season. If the spring is warmer and wetter than usual, that can provoke more grass to grow earlier, leading to a more severe situation during the late spring and summer already been released out of the air. An important component of the allergy management plan is to go in for a thorough homoeopathic treatment, avoiding the pollens and molds that make you sneeze and wheeze.

Can such seasonal allergies be totally cured with homoeopathy? Yes, if one is able to get a good homoeopathic treatment. But as allergy is a thousand-headed monster, it may take two-three seasons before one can get completely cured.

Why should one use homoeopathy for treating allergies?

a) First of all, it prevents further deterioration as it is often the noted conditions such as allergic rhinitis that can progress into asthma. b) Safe treatment-homoeopathic medicines do not have any sedative effect as some of the other conventional drugs used to control allergy do. c) Non-toxic-homoeopathic medicines are highly diluted, thus there are no chances of developing drug-toxicity. d) The homoeopathic system uses the body’s own healing system to work for it.

Does homoeopathy believe in treating only the chronic state of allergies or are there medicines that can take care when one gets those acute flare-ups in spring?

The treatment is aimed at controlling both acute and chronic problems though a different set of medicines might be used to control the acute attacks of allergy. A constitutional approach is often the best way while treating the chronic state. Prescription based on a thorough analysis of a person’s physical and mental characteristics is what called as “constitutional approach” in homoeopathy.